FIFTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART IV 271 



out any interference with the races, or endangering the lives of those 

 whose business took them back and fortli across the track. It is a 

 feature that other state fairs might well imitate. 



A splendid cooling paddock is another new feature at the state fair. It 

 is just west of the amphitheater, and contains stalls for twenty-flve or 

 more horses. The horses entering the races each day are stabled in 

 this paddock convenient to the track. It facilitates the racing, and 

 avoids the tedious delay which characterizes the usual state fair races. 



The state fish and game department made a small but interesting ex- 

 hibit at the game farm on the east end of the fair grounds. The state 

 game warden, Mr. Hinshaw, has charge of the headquarters. The state 

 department is promoting the stocking of private fish ponds as well as 

 the state waters of Iowa. They are also establishing large game pre- 

 serves in various parts of the state, where adjoining land owners will 

 agree to keep off trespassing hunters and give a little attention to the 

 preservation of native and imported birds. A number of Hungarian 

 partridges and pheasants have been sent out through the state for 

 stocking purposes, and the department is working earnestly to co-operate 

 with land owners in a stricter enforcement of the state game laws. 



The refreshment stand men found it heard sledding, and only a few 

 of them broke even or made any money on their business venture at the 

 fair. The lessened attendance and the increased number of refresh- 

 ment stands must be held responsible. The crowds were well taken 

 care of, and there was a decided improvement in the sanitary condi- 

 tions under which refreshments were served, but in a number of in- 

 stances conditions could have been much better. 



Black Hawk county was awarded the blue ribbon for the best display 

 of county products. Its county agent, Mr. A. A. Burger, had more than 

 400 different products grown in the county. This included, of course, 

 different varieties of the same produce. Strawberries of the ever-bear- 

 ing variety were on display, as well as both kinds of raspberries and 

 blackberries. There were all kinds of tree fruits, grains and farm prod- 

 uce. Other county exhibits were along the same line. Henry county won 

 second place, and Scott county third. The county booths served as a 

 general meeting place for visitors from each county. The agents kept 

 a registry where all guests from the county could register. 



The horseshoeing contests held just north of the main horse barn at- 

 tracted considerable attention. The blacksmiths who entered had to build 

 a fire, make a pair of plate shoes from bar iron, and put them on in 

 good shape. Several completed the work in less than an hour. Pre- 

 miums were awarded on the basis of good work rather than s^eed. It 

 was an educational feature worth while, and will doubtless be made a 

 regular feature of the fair. 



